Methods and systems for provisioning a user profile on a media processor

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting a plurality of mobile devices in proximity to a device. Further embodiments can include identifying a user identifier associated with each of the plurality of mobile devices resulting in a plurality of user identifiers. Additional embodiments can include obtaining a user profile associated with each of the plurality of user identifiers resulting in a plurality of user profiles. Also, embodiments can include identifying a first user profile having a first priority among the plurality of user profiles. Further embodiments can include provisioning the first user profile on a media processor or set top box and providing media content for presentation on a display according to the first user profile. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/532,931 filed on Aug. 6, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/245,704 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,419,558) filed onAug. 24, 2016. The contents of each of the foregoing are herebyincorporated by reference into this application as if set forth hereinin full.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a methods and system for provisioninga user profile on a media processor.

BACKGROUND

Modern media content providers can use a media processor or set top boxon a premises to provide media content to their subscribers or users.Further, a premises can have multiple users viewing media contentprovided by the media processor to a display. In addition, each user canhave a user profile listing past viewing choices for media content,favorite media content, and recommended media content for viewing.Portions of such information can be presented to a user in ElectronicProgramming Guide (EPG) on the display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIGS. 1-2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system forprovisioning a user profile on a media processor;

FIGS. 3-4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used inportions of the systems described in FIGS. 1-2 for provisioning a userprofile on a media processor;

FIGS. 5-6 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services and management of the media services;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems that manage media services;

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device; and

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for provisioning a user profile on a media processor or settop box. Embodiments include detecting a plurality of mobile devices inproximity to the set top box. Further embodiments can includeidentifying a user identifier associated with each of the plurality ofmobile devices resulting in a plurality of user identifiers. Additionalembodiments can include obtaining a user profile associated with each ofthe plurality of user identifiers resulting in a plurality of userprofiles. Also, embodiments can include identifying a first user profilehaving a first priority among the plurality of user profiles. Furtherembodiments can include provisioning the first user profile on a mediaprocessor or set top box and providing media content for presentation ona display according to the first user profile. Other embodiments aredescribed in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a device,comprising a processing system including a processor and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processingsystem, facilitate performance of operations. The device can be a mediaprocessor or network device. The operations can include detectingmultiple mobile devices in proximity to the device. Further, theoperations can include identifying a user identifier associated witheach of the multiple mobile devices resulting in multiple useridentifiers. Additionally, the operations can include obtaining a userprofile associated with each of the multiple user identifiers resultingin multiple user profiles. Also, the operations can include identifyinga first user profile having a first priority among the multiple userprofiles. The operations can include provisioning the first user profileon the device and providing media content for presentation on a display,communicatively coupled to the device, according to the first userprofile.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a machine-readablestorage medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executedby a processing system (such as a media processor or network device)including a processor, facilitate performance of operations. Theoperations can include detecting multiple mobile devices in proximity tothe processing system. Further operations can include capturing an imageof a viewing area for a display, communicatively coupled to theprocessing system and identifying multiple users within the viewingarea. Additional operations can include identifying a user identifierassociated with each of the multiple users within the viewing arearesulting in multiple user identifiers. Also, operations can includeobtaining a user profile associated with each of the multiple useridentifiers resulting in multiple user profiles. The operations caninclude identifying a first user profile having a first priority amongthe multiple user profiles. Further operations can include provisioningthe first user profile on the processing system and providing mediacontent for presentation on the display according to the first userprofile.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method. Themethod can include detecting, by a processing system (e.g. mediaprocessor or network device) including a processor, multiple mobiledevices in proximity to the processing system. Further, the method caninclude identifying, by the processing system, a user identifierassociated with each of the multiple mobile devices resulting inmultiple user identifiers. In addition, the method can includeobtaining, by the processing system, a user profile associated with eachof the multiple user identifiers resulting in multiple user profiles.Also, the method can include identifying, by the processing system, afirst user profile having a first priority among the multiple userprofiles. The method can include identifying, by the processing system,an account associated with the first user profile. Further, the methodcan include provisioning, by the processing system, the first userprofile on the processing system. Additionally, the method can includeidentifying, by the processing system, a master user profile associatedwith the account and determining, by the processing system, that thefirst user profile is not the master user profile. Also, the method caninclude identifying, by the processing system, a plurality of controlsettings associated with the master user profile to be used whenproviding media content associated with the first user profile andproviding, by the processing system, media content to be presented on adisplay according to the first user profile and the plurality of controlsettings.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system 100 forprovisioning a user profile on a media processor. In one or moreembodiments, the system 100 includes a media processor, or set top box(STB) 116, 132, 142, 152 in each of four rooms, a family room 108, aparents bedroom 110, a child bedroom 112, and a guest bedroom 114 in aresidential premises 106 (e.g. single family house). Each set top box116, 132, 142, 152 can be communicatively coupled to a display such as atelevision 118, 134, 144, 154. Further, each room may have a viewingarea. The viewing area for each room can include furniture for viewersto comfortably view media content provided by the set top box 116, 132,142, 152 for presentation on television 118, 134, 144, 154. In thefamily room 108, a chair 120 and sofa 122 can be within the viewingarea. Further, in the parents bedroom 110, the parents bed 136 can bewithin the viewing area. In addition, in the child bedroom 112, thechild bed 146 can be within the viewing area. Also, in the guest bedroom114, the guest bed 156 can within the viewing area.

In one or more embodiments, the system 100 allows for a set top box 116,132, 142, 152 to detect a mobile device 126, 130, 140, 150, 160 when itis in proximity to the set top box 116, 132, 142, 152. A parent (e.g.father) 138 can be in the parents bedroom 110. The set top box 132 candetect that the parent's mobile device 140 is in proximity to the settop box 132. In some embodiments, the set top box 132 can detect themobile device 140 using a peer to peer communication link such asBluetooth® technology. The set top box 132 can receive a signal from themobile device 140 across such the communication link. Further, the settop box can detect the strength of the signal (e.g. power, energy, etc.)and determine an approximate distance the mobile device 140 is from theset top box 132. If the signal strength is within a predeterminedthreshold which may correspond to a certain distance the mobile device140 is from the set top box 132, then the set top box 132 determinesthat the mobile device 140 is in proximity to the set top box 132.

In other embodiments, a mobile application can be running on the mobiledevice 140 that periodically provides location information of the mobiledevice 140 to a media content management server 102 over a communicationnetwork 104. The communication network 104 can be a wireless networksuch as a WiFi network or a cellular network, a landline network, or acombination thereof. The media content management server 102 receivesthe location information for the mobile device 140. In one or moreembodiments, the media content management server 102 can forward thelocation information to the set top box 132 for processing or processthe location information itself. In some embodiments, the mobile device140 can provide the location information to the set top box 132 over thepeer-to-peer communication link or a communication network within theresidential premises 106. The set top box 132 or media contentmanagement server 102 can compare the location information of the mobiledevice 140 with the stationary location of the set top box 132 anddetermine whether the mobile device 140 is in proximity to the set topbox 132.

In response to detecting the mobile device 140 is in proximity with theset top box 132, the location identifies a user identifier associatedwith the mobile device 140. In some embodiments, when a peer-to-peercommunication link is used to detect the mobile device 140, a signalprovided by the mobile device 140 can include a user identifier for user138. In further embodiments, the signal can provide a device identifierfor mobile device 140. If the mobile device was registered with system100 a priori, then the set top box 132 can send the device identifier tomedia content management server 102. In other embodiments, the mobiledevice 140 can provide device identifier or a user identifier for user138 over communication network 104 to media content management server102. Whether the device identifier is provided via the set top box 132or by the mobile device 140 over the communication network, the mediacontent management server 102 can access the user identifier accordingto the device identifier. During a prior registration process of themobile device 140 with system 100, the media content management server102 associated the device identifier of mobile device 140 with a useridentifier. The device identifier can include alphanumeric, graphical,text, or any other type of information to identify mobile device 140.The user identifier can include alphanumeric, graphical, text, or anyother type of information to identify user 138 (e.g. name). The mediacontent management server 102 can provide the user identifier across thecommunication network 104 to set top box 132.

In one or more embodiments, the set top box 132 can obtain a userprofile associated with the user identifier. In some embodiments, theset top box can store user profiles associated with members of thehousehold for residential premises 106 in its own storage device andaccess one of them, accordingly. In other embodiments, the set top box132 can provide the user identifier to the media content managementserver 102 over communication network 104 along with a request for theuser profile associated with the user identifier. In furtherembodiments, the media content management server 102 may have providedthe user identifier to the set top box and had previously stored or hasaccess to the user identify such that set top box 132 sends only therequest for the user profile associated with the user identifier. Themedia content management server 102 accesses the user profile associatedwith the user identifier and provides the user profile to the set topbox 132. In additional embodiments, the user profile can be stored inthe mobile device 140. Responsive to being detected by the set top box132, the mobile device 140 may transmit the user profile to the set topbox 132 using the peer-to-peer communication link, a communicationnetwork within residential premises 106 or send the user profile to theset top box 132 via media content management server 102 and/orcommunication network 104.

In one or more embodiments, responsive to obtaining the user profile,the set top box 132 provisions or otherwise loads the user profile ontoitself. A user profile can include past viewing choices of mediacontent, favorite media content programs, and recommended media contentprograms based on past viewing choices and favorite media contentprograms as well currently subscribed service packages and recommendservice packages, or any combination thereof. Further, the user profilecan include a schedule of upcoming media content programs that wereviewed in the past, favorites, or recommended. Such informationassociated with the user profile can be presented to the television 134in response to the user profile being provisioned on set top box 132.The information can be presented in an electronic programming guide(EPG). In some embodiments, the set top box 132 can provide mediacontent for presentation on the television according to the userprofile. The media content could be a media content program the user 138has configured in the user profile to be presented in response to theuser profile provisioned on the set top box 132. In other embodiments,the user 138 can use the mobile application running on the mobile device140 or a remote control device for either the set top box 132 ortelevision 134 to select a media content program on the electronicprogramming guide to be presented on the television 134.

In one or more embodiments, in the child bedroom 112, a child 148 withmobile device 150 can be in proximity with the set top box 142. Asdescribed herein, the set top box detects the mobile device 150 andobtains a user profile associated with the user 148. The user profilecan be provisioned onto set top box 142. Further, the set top box 142can identify an account associated with the user profile. In someembodiments, the set top box 142 can access account information for eachuser profile associated with the members of household in the residentialpremises 106 from its own storage device including a master profileassociated with the account. In other embodiments, the set top box 142can request the media content management server 102 for the accountinformation associated with user profile. This request can includeproviding the user profile to the media content management server 102.In response to identifying the account associated with the user profile,the set top box or media management server can identify a master userprofile of the account. A master user profile is associated with a headof household or an account holder. Further, each member of the householdhas a user profile. In addition, each user profile has a priority. Ithas highest priority over the other user profiles associated withhousehold members of the residential premises 106. In furtherembodiments, the master user profile can associate control settings orparental controls with certain user profiles. For example, a master userprofile that is a parent user profile can associate control settingswith the child user profile. Such control settings can be configuredonto the set top box 142. In addition, when the child user profile isprovisioned on the set top box 142, the set top box 142 provides mediacontent to be presented on television 144 according to the child userprofile for user 148 and the control settings. This prevents the user148 from viewing age-inappropriate media content.

In one or more embodiments, in the family room 108 there are two users124, 138, each with a mobile device 126, 130. The set top box 116 candetect the mobile devices 126, 130 and obtain a user profile associatedwith each user 124, 128, as described herein. Further, the set top boxidentifies the user profile with the first or highest priority among thetwo user profiles associated with user 124, 128. For example, user 128may be a parent and user 124 may be a child. The user profile associatedwith the user 128 may have a higher priority than the user profileassociated with user 124. In addition, the set top box 116 provisions orotherwise loads the user profile having the first or higher priorityonto itself. After the user profile with the first priority isprovisioned, the set top box 116 can provide media content forpresentation on the television 118 according to the user profile havingthe first priority.

In one or more embodiments, the set top box 116 can detect multiplemobile devices in its proximity. This can include not only mobiledevices 126, 130 in the family room but also the mobile device 140 inthe parents bedroom located above the family room. The user 138associated with the mobile device 140 in the parents bedroom is not ableto view television 118 communicatively coupled to set top box 116because user 138 is not within the viewing area for television 118. Toprevent obtaining the user profile for user 138, thereby wasting timeand resources as well as loading user profile for a user not viewingtelevision 118, the set top box 116 captures an image of the viewingarea of television 118 using a camera 118. Camera 118 is communicativelycoupled to set top box 116 and can be mounted on or integrated withtelevision 118 or set top box 116. Further, the set top box 116identifies the users 124, 128 in the viewing area (and not user 138).This can be done by the set top box 116 accessing stored digital imagesof the users 124, 128 either from its own storage device or from themedia content management server 102. These digital images can beprovided when registering mobile devices 126, 130, 140, 150, 160 withsystem 100. In addition, the set top box 116 can implement imagerecognition techniques to compare the captured images with the storeddigital images of the users 124, 128. The image recognition techniquescan determine a match between the images of the people in the capturedimages and the stored digital images of the users 124, 128. In otherembodiments, the set top box 116 can send the captured images to mediacontent management server 102 for image processing. The media contentmanagement server 102 can access stored digital images of the users 124,128 and determine a match between the images of the people in thecaptured images and the stored digital images of the users 124, 128.

Further, a user identifier may be associated with the stored digitalimages of the user 124, 128. Thus, in response to identifying userswithin the viewing area, the set top box 116 (or media contentmanagement server 102) can identify the user identifier for each user124, 128 in the viewing area. Further, the set top box 116 (or mediacontent management server 102) can obtain a user profile associated witheach of the user identifiers. Such user profiles can be consideredviewing user profiles. In addition, set top box 116 can determine a userprofile having a first priority or highest profile among the viewinguser profiles. For example, the viewing profiles can include the userprofile for parent user 128 and the user profile for child user 124. Theuser profile for parent user 128 may have a first priority or higherpriority than child user 124. Thus, the user profile for parent user 128is provisioned on set top box 116.

In one or more embodiments, in the guest room 114, a user 158 may be aguest in residential premises 106. The set top box 152 can be operatedby a media content provider. Further, the user 158 may not be a memberof the household of residential premises 106 and therefore does not havea user profile associated with the account for residential premises 106.However, the user 158 can be a subscriber for the same media contentprovider that operates set top box 152. Thus, the user 158 can have auser profile that is associated with its own account separate from theaccount associated with the residential premises 106. In addition, theuser associated with the master profile for the account associated withresidential premises 106 can configure set top box 152 to be able toprovision or load a user profile not associated with the account for theresidential premises 106. In some embodiments, responsive to detectingthe mobile device 160, identifying the user identifier associated withuser 158, and obtaining the user profile for user 158, as describedherein, the set top box 152 can provision and load the user profile onitself.

In one or more embodiments, one or more user profiles associated with anaccount can be used to track viewed media content programs by the mediacontent provider. Tracking viewed programs includes associatingpreviously viewed media content programs with corresponding, currentlysubscribed service packages. At a later time, when a subscriber/accountholder (i.e. user associated with the master user profile) of the mediacontent service indicates removal of a service package while interactingwith the media content management server 102 via a user interface, mediacontent management server 102 can provide a message to the userinterface indicating that amount of programming that was viewed on theservice package to discourage the subscriber to remove the servicepackage. In another embodiment, the media content management server 102can determine a portion of the favorite or recommended media contentprograms for a user are from an unsubscribed service package and sendspromotional materials for the unsubscribed service package to the uservia the user interface (i.e. the user interface can be part of a mobileapplication running on a mobile device 126, 130, 140, 150, 160).

In one or more embodiments, each set top box 116, 132, 142, 152 can beconfigured with a different user profile having a first priority orhighest priority among other user profiles associated with the accountfor residential premises 106. However, there can also be a masterprofile associated with the account. In some embodiments, controlsettings for a provisioned first priority, user profile, configured bythe master profile, can then be implemented on presented media contentfor the provisioned, first priority user profile for a set top box. Forexample, a set top box 142 in the child bedroom 112 can be configuredwith a child user profile as its first priority, user profile. However,a parent user profile associated with a parent user is the master userprofile for the account associated with the set top box 142. Thus, ifboth the parent user profile and the child user profile are obtainedduring the same time interval, the child user profile is provisionedonto the set top box 142 because it has the first priority (or higherpriority) compared to the parent user profile for the set top box 142 inthe child bedroom. However, the parent user profile is the master userprofile for the account. Any control settings configured for the childuser profile according to the user profile are still implemented onmedia content provided by the set top box 142 even though the child userprofile is the first priority, user profile for the set top box 142.

In one or more embodiments, a user profile can be configured to share alist of media content programs to another user profile, within the samepremises or in different premises. This allows the different users (evenlocated in different premises) to coordinate viewing of a media contentprogram at the same time.

The mobile devices 126, 130, 140, 150, 160 can be mobile phones, smartphones, tablet computers, laptop computers, smart watches, wearabledevices, or any other portable communication device.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system 200 forprovisioning a user profile on a media processor. In one or moreembodiments, a media processor or set top box 202 is communicativelycoupled to a display such as television 208. Further, the set top box202 can detect mobile devices 204, 214.

In some embodiments, a user profile has not been loaded onto set top box202. As described herein, a set top box 202 can detect the mobile device204 and obtain the user profile associated with a user of mobile device204. Thereafter, the set top box 202 can provision the user profile onitself and provide media content 210 onto the television 208 accordingto the user profile. Further, the set top box 202 may place an icon 212that indicates a user profile has been loaded onto the set top box 202and indicates the user associated with the user profile (i.e. username). Also, the set top box 202 can send a notification to the mobiledevice 204, either through a peer-to-peer communication link or via thecommunication network 104 and/or media content management server 102.The notification can be presented on the display 206 of mobile device204 showing the user that their user profile is loaded on the set topbox 202.

In other embodiments, a user profile (e.g. Bob user profile) is alreadyloaded onto the set top box 202 and is indicated as such by the icon212. However, another mobile device 214 is detected by set top box 202.Set top box 202 obtains the user profile associated with the user ofmobile device 214, as described herein. Further, the set top box 202 (ormedia content management server 102) can determine whether the newlyobtained user profile has a higher priority than the already loaded userprofile. If not, the set top box 202 sends a notification to the mobiledevice 214 that another user profile has been loaded. The notificationcan be sent to the mobile device via a peer-to-peer communication linkor via the communication network 104 and/or media content managementserver 102. Further, the notification can be presented on a display 216of the mobile device 214.

In further embodiments, the set top box 202 can detect two mobiledevices 204, 214 within a period of time (e.g. one second) such that theset top box 202 determines the detection of both mobile devices areclose enough in time to identify which user profile has a first priorityor higher priority and to be provisioned onto set top box 202. Asdescribed herein, the set top box 202 obtains a user profile for a userassociated with each mobile device 204, 214. Further, the set top box202 determines which user profile has a first or higher priority amongthe two user profiles. Thereafter, the set top box 202 provisions itselfwith the user profile with the first or higher priority and sends anotification to each mobile device 204, 214 of which user profile wasprovisioned on the set top box 202.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 300 used bysystems 100, 200 for provisioning a user profile on a media processor orset top box. At a step 302, the method 300 can include a device (e.g.set top box, media processor, media management server, network device,etc.) detecting multiple mobile devices over a communication network inproximity to the set top box. In some embodiments, at a step 304, themethod 300 can include a camera communicatively coupled to the devicecapturing an image of a viewing area for a display. The display can be atelevision or other presentation device. Further, the device canidentifying multiple users within the viewing area and/or the usersassociated with the detected mobile devices. At a step 306, the method300 can include the device identifying a user identifier associated witheach of the multiple users. These users can be within the viewing areaand/or users associated with the detected mobile devices. At a step 308,the method 300 can include obtaining a user profile associated with eachof the multiple user identifiers. Further, at a step 310, the method 300can include the device identifying a first user profile having a firstpriority or highest priority among the plurality of user profiles.

In other embodiments, at a step 312, the method 300 can include thedevice identifying, an account associated with the first user profile.Further, at a step 314, the method 300 can include the deviceidentifying a master user profile associated with the account. Inaddition, at a step 316, the method 300 can include the devicedetermining that the first user profile is not the master user profile.Also, at a step 318, the method 300 can include the device identifyingmultiple control settings associated with or configured by the masteruser profile to be used when providing media content associated with thefirst user profile. In other embodiments, at a step 320, the method 300can include the device implementing the multiple control settings.

At a step 322, the method 300 can include the device provisioning thefirst user profile on the set top box. Further, at a step 324, themethod 300 can include providing media content for presentation on thedisplay according to the first user profile, and the multiple controlsetting, if applicable.

In further embodiments, at a step 326, the method 300 can include thedevice identifying a viewing time threshold for provisioning the firstuser profile on the device. Additionally, at step 328, the method 300can include discontinuing the providing of the media content to thedisplay responsive to determining that the first user profile isprovisioned on the set top box for a period of time above the viewingtime threshold. For example, the first user profile can be a userprofile associated with a child. A parent user having a master profilecon configure the first user profile with a viewing time threshold ofthirty minutes because the parent user would like to limit the time thechild user watches media content programs to only thirty minutes at atime. Thus, after first user profile has been provisioned and mediacontent has been provided for thirty minutes, the set top boxdiscontinues providing of the media content. The set top box can providea notification to be presented on the display communicative coupled tothe set top box or to the mobile device of the child user indicating theviewing time threshold has been reached. In some embodiments, theconfiguration of the viewing time threshold by the parent user with themaster profile can be part of the control settings configured for thefirst user profile. In other embodiments, configuration of the viewingtime threshold can be separate from the control settings.

In additional embodiments, at a step 330, the method 300 can include thedevice identifying a second user profile associated with the account.Further, at step 332, the method 300 can include a device determining aviewing time threshold associated with an amount of time the second userprofile was used to view a plurality of media content. Also, at a step334, the method 300 can include the device discontinuing the providingof the media content to the display responsive to determining that thefirst user profile is provisioned on the device for a period of timeabove the viewing time threshold. For example, the first user profilecan be associated with a first child and the second user profile can beassociated with the second child. A parent user with a master profilecan configure that each child can watch equal amounts of media contentwithin a time period (e.g. 24 hour time period). The set top boxeswithin the household and/or the media content management server cancommunicate with each other to determine that the user associated withthe second user profile has viewed 120 minutes of media content withinthe time period. Further, set top boxes and/or media content managementserver can determine user associated with the first user profile hasviewed 90 minutes of media content within the time period. Thus, the settop box or media content management server determines a viewing timethreshold of 30 minutes for the first user profile when it isprovisioned on the set top box. Once the 30 minutes has elapsed, the settop box discontinues providing media content to the display. In someembodiments, the configuration of the amount of viewing time for each ofthe first user profile and the second profile by the parent user withthe master profile can be part of the control settings configured forthe first user profile and second user profile. In other embodiments,configuration of the amount of viewing time for each user profile can beseparate from the control settings.

In some embodiments, at a step 336, the method 300 can include thedevice removing the provisioning of the first user profile from thedevice. Further, at a step 338, the method 300 can include the devicedetermining an amount of time for first user profile was provisioned onthe device. In addition, at a step 340, the method 300 can include adevice associating the amount of time for the first user profile wasprovisioned to the account. In some embodiments, the set top box canstore the types or names of the media content programs provided when thefirst user profile was provisioned. For example, a parent user may wantto track the amount of time a child user views media content or thetypes of media content programs viewed. Further, the parent user canhave a master profile to configure tracking the amount of time or thetypes of media content viewed by the user of the first user profile.Thus, after the first user profile is removed from the set top box, theset top box stores the types and names of the media content programsprovided when the when the first user profile was provisioned.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 400 used bysystems 100, 200 for provisioning a user profile on a media processor orset top box. At a step 402, the method 400 can include a device (e.g.set top box, media processor, media management server, network device,etc.) identifying a new user profile. The new user profile may have beenobtained from detecting a mobile device for a user associated with thenew user profile. Further, at a step 404, the method 400 can include thedevice determining whether a mobile device associated with the masteruser profile is presently loaded or provisioned in the set top box. Ifso, at a step 406, the method 400 can include the device not loading orprovisioning the new user profile onto the set top box.

If not, in some embodiments, at a step 408, the method 400 can include adevice determining whether multiple user profiles are present or inproximity to the set top box. If not, at step 414, the device loads orotherwise provisions the new user profile on the set top box. If so, ata step 410, the method 400 can include the device listing the multipleuser profiles on a user interface. The user interface can be displayedon a television or a mobile device communicative coupled to the deviceand/or set top box. Further, at a step 412, the method 400 can include auser selecting a user profile from the list of user profiles using aninput device. The input device can be a remote control for a televisionor an input device (e.g. touchscreen) of the mobile device. After a userprofile is selected, at a step 414, the method 400 can include thedevice loading or provisioning the selected user profile onto the settop box.

In other embodiments, if a master user profile is not presently loadedor provisioned on the set top box, at step 416, the method 400 caninclude the device determining whether multiple accounts are present. Ifnot, at step 414, the device loads or otherwise provisions the new userprofile on the set top box. If so, at a step 418, the method 400 caninclude the device listing the multiple accounts on a user interface.The user interface can be displayed on a television or a mobile devicecommunicatively coupled to the device and/or set top box. Further, at astep 420, the method 400 can include a user selecting an account fromthe list of accounts using an input device. In addition, at a step 422,the device can load the selected account or account information onto theset top box. After the account is loaded, at a step 414, the method 400can include the device loading or provisioning a user profile associatedwith the selected account onto the set top box.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIGS. 3-4, itis to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter isnot limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 400 for delivering media content. The communication system 500can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system.Communication system 500 can be overlaid or operably coupled withsystems 100, 200 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 as another representativeembodiment of communication system 500. For instance, one or moredevices illustrated in the communication system 500 of FIG. 5 can detectmultiple mobile devices over a communication network in proximity to aset top box. Further, the one or more devices can identify a useridentifier associated with each of the multiple mobile devices resultingin multiple user identifiers. In addition, the one or more mobiledevices can obtain a user profile associated with each of the multipleuser identifiers resulting in multiple user profiles. Also, the one ormore devices can identify a first user profile having a first priorityamong the multiple user profiles. Further, the one or more devices canprovision the first user profile on set top box and provide mediacontent for presentation on a display according to the first userprofile.

The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 510 withat least one super headend office server (SHS) 511 which receives mediacontent from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems. In thepresent context, media content can represent, for example, audiocontent, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games,virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.The SHS server 511 can forward packets associated with the media contentto one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 514 via a network of videohead-end offices (VHO) 512 according to a multicast communicationprotocol.

The VHS 514 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an accessnetwork 518 to commercial and/or residential buildings 502 housing agateway 504 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 518 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links orcopper twisted pairs 519 to buildings 502. The gateway 504 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 506 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 508 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 507 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 504, the media processors 506, and media devices 508 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, or other presentor next generation local or personal area wireless network technologies.By way of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 506 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 529 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 5. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 500. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 515 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 531 coupled to thebuilding 502. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver531 can be transferred to the media processors 406 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 508. The media processors 506 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 532 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 533 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system500. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 533 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services. System 500 enablesvarious types of interactive television and/or services including IPTV,cable and/or satellite.

The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generationover-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 530, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 532 towireline media devices 508 or wireless communication devices 516.

Communication system 500 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 530 to function as a media management server (hereinreferred to as media content management server 530). The media contentmanagement server 530 can use computing and communication technology toperform function 562, which can include among other things, implements aportion of techniques described by methods 300, 400 of FIGS. 3-4. Forinstance, function 562 of server 530 can be similar to the functionsdescribed for server 102 of FIGS. 1-2 in accordance with methods 300,400. The media processors 506 and wireless communication devices 516 canbe provisioned with software functions 562 and 564, respectively, toutilize the services of media content management server 530. Forinstance, functions 562 and 564 of media processors 506 and wirelesscommunication devices 516 can be similar to the functions described forthe communication devices 116, 132, 142, 152 and 126, 130, 140, 150, 160of FIG. 1 in accordance with methods 300, 400.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 517 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access networktechnologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 600employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 600 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith systems 100, 200 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 and communication system 500as another representative embodiment of communication system 500. Forinstance, one or more devices illustrated in the communication system600 of FIG. 6 can detect multiple mobile devices over a communicationnetwork. Further, the one or more devices can identify a user identifierassociated with each of the multiple mobile devices resulting inmultiple user identifiers. In addition, the one or more mobile devicescan obtain a user profile associated with each of the multiple useridentifiers resulting in multiple user profiles. Also, the one or moredevices can identify a first user profile having a first priority amongthe multiple user profiles. Further, the one or more devices canprovision the first user profile on set top box and provide mediacontent for presentation on a display according to the first userprofile.

Communication system 600 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)640, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 630, and other networkelements of an IMS network 650. The IMS network 650 can establishcommunications between IMS-compliant communication devices (CDs) 601,602, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 603, 605, andcombinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)620 coupled to a PSTN network 660. The MGCF 620 need not be used when acommunication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. Acommunication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize theMGCF 620.

IMS CDs 601, 602 can register with the IMS network 650 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with aninterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with a ServingCSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS 640. To initiate acommunication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 601 can submita Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originatingP-CSCF 604 which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF606. The originating S-CSCF 606 can submit the SIP INVITE message to oneor more application servers (ASs) 617 that can provide a variety ofservices to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 617 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 606 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 506 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 630 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 607 to submit a query to the HSS 640 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 614 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 602. Once identified, the I-CSCF 607 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 614. The terminating S-CSCF614 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 616 associated with theterminating CD 602. The P-CSCF 616 may then signal the CD 602 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 6 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 600 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 600 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 601, 602with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system 500 ofFIG. 5.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD603 or CD 605 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 630 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 606 to forward the call to the MGCF 620 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 619. The MGCF 620 can then initiate the call tothe terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 660 to enable the callingand called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 6 can operate as wirelineor wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 6 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 621, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) baseunit, or another suitable wireless access unit to establishcommunications with the IMS network 650 of FIG. 6. The cellular accessbase station 621 can operate according to common wireless accessprotocols such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on.Other present and next generation wireless network technologies can beused by one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. Accordingly,multiple wireline and wireless communication technologies can be used bythe CDs of FIG. 6.

Cellular phones supporting LTE can support packet-switched voice andpacket-switched data communications and thus may operate asIMS-compliant mobile devices. In this embodiment, the cellular basestation 621 may communicate directly with the IMS network 650 as shownby the arrow connecting the cellular base station 621 and the P-CSCF616.

Alternative forms of a CSCF can operate in a device, system, component,or other form of centralized or distributed hardware and/or software.Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as a respective CSCF systemhaving one or more computers or servers, either centralized ordistributed, where each computer or server may be configured to performor provide, in whole or in part, any method, step, or functionalitydescribed herein in accordance with a respective CSCF. Likewise, otherfunctions, servers and computers described herein, including but notlimited to, the HSS, the ENUM server, the BGCF, and the MGCF, can beembodied in a respective system having one or more computers or servers,either centralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respectivefunction, server, or computer.

The media content management server 530 of FIG. 5 can be operablycoupled to communication system 600 for purposes similar to thosedescribed above. Media content management server 530 can performfunction 562 and thereby provide media content management services suchas managing user profiles to be loaded on media processors from the CDs601, 602, 603 and 605 of FIG. 6 similar to the functions described forserver 102 of FIGS. 1-2 in accordance with methods 300, 400 of FIGS.3-4. CDs 601, 602, 603 and 605, which can be adapted with software toperform function 672 to utilize the media content management services ofthe media content management server 530 similar to the functionsdescribed for communication devices 126, 130, 140, 150, 160 of FIG. 1 inaccordance with methods 300, 400 of FIGS. 3-4.

For illustration purposes only, the terms S-CSCF, P-CSCF, I-CSCF, and soon, can be server devices, but may be referred to in the subjectdisclosure without the word “server.” It is also understood that anyform of a CSCF server can operate in a device, system, component, orother form of centralized or distributed hardware and software. It isfurther noted that these terms and other terms such as DIAMETER commandsare terms can include features, methodologies, and/or fields that may bedescribed in whole or in part by standards bodies such as 3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). It is further noted that some orall embodiments of the subject disclosure may in whole or in partmodify, supplement, or otherwise supersede final or proposed standardspublished and promulgated by 3GPP.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 702 of acommunication system 700. Communication system 700 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with systems 100, 200 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2,communication system 500, and/or communication system 600 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of systems 100, 200 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2,communication system 500, and/or communication system 600. The webportal 702 can be used for managing or registering for media contentmanagement services of systems 100, 200 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 andcommunication systems 500-600. A web page of the web portal 702 can beaccessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with an Internet browserusing an Internet-capable communication device such as those describedin FIGS. 1 and/or 2 and FIGS. 5-6. The web portal 702 can be configured,for example, to access a media processor 506 and services managedthereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a Video on Demand (VoD)catalog, an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), or a personal catalog(such as personal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored atthe media processor 506. The web portal 702 can also be used forprovisioning IMS services described earlier, provisioning Internetservices, provisioning cellular phone services, and so on.

The web portal 702 can further be utilized to manage and provisionsoftware applications 562-564, and 672 to adapt these applications asmay be desired by subscribers and/or service providers of systems 100,200 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2, and communication systems 500-600. Forinstance, users of the media content management services provided byserver 102 or server 530 can log into their on-line accounts andprovision the servers 102 or server 530 with and register mobile devicesand associate them with user profiles. This can include the serverobtaining a device identifier for the mobile device and associating thedevice identifier with a user identifier and/or user profile. Further,the users can manage their user profiles through portal 702. Forexample, a user can manage the parental control settings associated witha user profile, configure viewing time thresholds for certain userprofiles associated with the account, edit the criteria to providerecommended media content programs, etc. Service providers can log ontoan administrator account to provision, monitor and/or maintain thesystems 100, 200 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 or server 530.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 800.Communication device 800 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 1 and/or 2, andFIGS. 5-6 and can be configured to perform portions of methods 300, 400of FIGS. 3-4.

Communication device 800 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 802 (herein transceiver 802), a user interface (UI) 804, apower supply 814, a location receiver 816, a motion sensor 818, anorientation sensor 820, and a controller 806 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 802 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 802 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 804 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 808 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device800. The keypad 808 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 800 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 808 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 704 can further include a display810 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 800. In anembodiment where the display 810 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 808 can be presented by way of the display 810 withnavigation features.

The display 810 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 800 can be adapted to present a user interface withgraphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a userwith a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 810 can be equippedwith capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology todetect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 810 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 800 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 804 can also include an audio system 812 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 812 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 812 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI804 can further include an image sensor 813 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 814 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 800 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 816 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 800 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 818can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 800 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 820 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device800 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 800 can use the transceiver 802 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 806 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 800.

Other components not shown in FIG. 8 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 800 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 806 of the communication device 800. Inyet another embodiment, the communication device 800 can also include afactory default setting button positioned, for example, below a smallhole in a housing assembly of the communication device 800 to force thecommunication device 800 to re-establish factory settings. In thisembodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paperclip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.The communication device 800 can also include a slot for adding orremoving an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 800 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 8. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 800 can be adapted to perform the functions ofmobile devices 126, 130, 140, 150, 160, 204, 214, set top boxes 116,132, 142, 152, 202, media devices 118, 134, 144, 154, 208 of FIGS. 1and/or 2, the media processor 506, the media devices 508, or theportable communication devices 516 of FIG. 5, as well as the IMS CDs601-602 and PSTN CDs 603-605 of FIG. 6. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 800 can also represent other devices that canoperate in systems 100, 200 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2, communication systems500-600 of FIGS. 5-6 such as a gaming console and a media player. Inaddition, the controller 806 can be adapted in various embodiments toperform the functions 562-564 and 672, respectively.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. For example, portions or all of some embodimentscan be combined with portions or all of other embodiments. Otherembodiments can be used in the subject disclosure.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 900 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods described above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the media content management server 530, themedia processor 506, mobile devices 126, 130, 140, 150, 160, 204, 214,set top boxes 116, 132, 142, 152, 202, media devices 118, 134, 144, 154,208 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2, the media processor 506, the media devices 508,or the portable communication devices 516 and other devices of FIGS.1-8. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using anetwork 926) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machinemay operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in aserver-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in apeer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 900 may include a processor (or controller) 902(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit(GPU, or both), a main memory 904 and a static memory 906, whichcommunicate with each other via a bus 908. The computer system 900 mayfurther include a display unit 910 (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display). The computer system 900may include an input device 912 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 914 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 916, a signal generationdevice 918 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 920. In distributed environments, the embodiments described inthe subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units910 controlled by two or more computer systems 900. In thisconfiguration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may inpart be shown in a first of the display units 910, while the remainingportion is presented in a second of the display units 910.

The disk drive unit 916 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 922 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 924) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 924 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 904, the static memory 906, and/or within theprocessor 902 during execution thereof by the computer system 900. Themain memory 904 and the processor 902 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable gate array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. Distributedprocessing environments can include multiple processors in a singlemachine, single processors in multiple machines, and/or multipleprocessors in multiple machines. It is further noted that a computingdevice such as a processor, a controller, a state machine or othersuitable device for executing instructions to perform operations ormethods may perform such operations directly or indirectly by way of oneor more intermediate devices directed by the computing device.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 922 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure. The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives,devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee®), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 800. In one or more embodiments, information regardinguse of services can be generated including services being accessed,media consumption history, user preferences, and so forth. Thisinformation can be obtained by various methods including user input,detecting types of communications (e.g., video content vs. audiocontent), analysis of content streams, and so forth. The generating,obtaining and/or monitoring of this information can be responsive to anauthorization provided by the user. In one or more embodiments, ananalysis of data can be subject to authorization from user(s) associatedwith the data, such as an opt-in, an opt-out, acknowledgementrequirements, notifications, selective authorization based on types ofdata, and so forth.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Theexemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or stepsfrom multiple embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derivedtherefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figuresare also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to theexemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms todescribe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second,third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or functionunless expressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, thirdand so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components,steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, oneor more devices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating(e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection)can include less than every step needed to perform the function or caninclude all of the steps needed to perform the function.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be multiple processors,which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in asingle machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used insupporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processingenvironment may support one or more virtual machines representingcomputers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualmachines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may bevirtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a statemachine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmablegate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when aprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this caninclude the processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or componentto perform the operations.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations, the operations comprising: responsive to detecting eachrespective mobile device of a plurality of mobile devices determined tobe in proximity to the device, obtaining a plurality of user profilesfor a media processor, wherein the obtaining the plurality of userprofiles comprises obtaining a respective user profile associated witheach respective mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices;determining a respective relative priority for each respective userprofile of the plurality of user profiles; provisioning a first userprofile having a highest respective relative priority on the device; andproviding media content for presentation on a display according to thefirst user profile, wherein, based on a first determination that thedevice is configured such that the first user profile has the highestrespective relative priority on the device, the provisioning the firstuser profile comprises provisioning the first user profile regardless ofwhether another user profile of the plurality of user profiles is amaster user profile that has a highest user priority over all userprofiles of the plurality of user profiles, and wherein, based on asecond determination that a second user profile of the plurality of userprofiles is the master user profile, the providing the media content isin accordance with control settings defined in the second user profilefor the first user profile.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise: obtaining the master user profile havingthe highest user priority over all user profiles of the plurality ofuser profiles; and associating second control settings of selectedrespective user profiles of the plurality of user profiles according tothe master user profile.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein theassociating the second control settings of the selected respective userprofiles of the plurality of user profiles comprises associatingrespective parental controls with respective child user profilesassociated with respective children.
 4. The device of claim 3, whereinthe master user profile is associated with a head of a household, andwherein each respective member of the household has a respective userprofile of the plurality of user profiles.
 5. The device of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise associating the control settingswith the first user profile, and wherein a mobile device is determinedto be in proximity to the device based on a signal strength associatedwith the mobile device being within a predetermined threshold.
 6. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a set top box.
 7. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the detecting each respective mobile deviceof the plurality of mobile devices in proximity to the device is basedon location information provided by the plurality of mobile devices. 8.A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, comprising executableinstructions that, when executed by a processing system including aprocessor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: detectingthat a plurality of mobile devices is determined to be in proximity tothe processing system; identifying a plurality of user identifiers, eachuser identifier of the plurality of user identifiers being associatedwith a mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices; obtaining aplurality of user profiles, each user profile of the plurality of userprofiles being associated with a user identifier of the plurality ofuser identifiers, each user profile having a priority relative to otherpriorities of other user profiles of the plurality of user profiles,wherein the identifying the plurality of user identifiers is responsiveto the detecting the plurality of mobile devices; for a media processor,identifying a first user profile of the plurality of user profiles basedon the plurality of user profiles, wherein the identifying the firstuser profile comprises identifying a user profile having a highestpriority relative to other priorities of the other user profiles;provisioning the first user profile on the media processor; andproviding media content for presentation by the media processor on adisplay according to the first user profile, wherein, based on a firstdetermination that the media processor is configured such that the firstuser profile has the highest priority on the media processor, theprovisioning the first user profile comprises provisioning the firstuser profile regardless of whether another user profile of the pluralityof user profiles is a master user profile for an account associated withthe media processor, wherein, based on a second determination that asecond user profile of the plurality of user profiles is the master userprofile for the account associated with the media processor, and whereinthe providing the media content is in accordance with a control settingdefined in the second user profile for the first user profile.
 9. Thenon-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein theoperations further comprise: after the provisioning the first userprofile on the media processor, detecting a new mobile device inproximity to the processing system; identifying a new user identifierassociated with the new mobile device; obtaining a new user profileassociated with the new user identifier; if a priority of the new userprofile is higher than a priority of the first user profile,provisioning the new user profile on the media processor; and providingmedia content for presentation by the media processor on a displayaccording to the new user profile.
 10. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: obtaining the master user profile, the master userprofile being associated with a head of a household; obtaining aplurality of family member user profiles, wherein each family memberuser profile of the plurality of family member user profiles isassociated with a member of the household; and associating controlsettings of the master user profile with each family member user profileof the plurality of family member user profiles to be used whenproviding media content for presentation by the media processor on thedisplay according to a family member user profile of the plurality offamily member user profiles.
 11. The non-transitory machine-readablestorage medium of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise, foreach respective media processor of a plurality of media processors ofthe household: designating a respective family member user profile as afirst priority user profile, wherein the designating the respectivefamily member user profile as the first priority user profile comprisesestablishing the first priority user profile with a highest priorityamong other user profiles; provisioning the respective family memberuser profile on the respective media processor; and providing mediacontent for presentation by the respective media processor on arespective display of a plurality of displays according to therespective family member user profile.
 12. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the operationsfurther comprise, for a particular media processor of the plurality ofmedia processors: after provisioning the respective family member userprofile, detecting a new mobile device in proximity to the particularmedia processor of the plurality of media processors; identifying a newuser identifier associated with the new mobile device; obtaining a newuser profile associated with the new user identifier; if a priority ofthe new user profile is higher than a priority of the respective familymember user profile provisioned on the particular media processor,provisioning the new user profile on the particular media processor; andproviding media content for presentation by the particular mediaprocessor on a display according to the new user profile.
 13. Thenon-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein theoperations further comprise sending a notification to each mobile deviceof the plurality of mobile devices, the notification identifying whichuser profile was provisioned on the media processor.
 14. Thenon-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein thedetecting the plurality of mobile devices in proximity to the processingsystem is based on location information provided by the plurality ofmobile devices.
 15. A method, comprising: receiving, by a processingsystem, a plurality of user profiles for a media processor, wherein thereceiving the plurality of user profiles comprises receiving arespective user profile associated with each respective mobile device ofa plurality of mobile devices determined to be in proximity to the mediaprocessor; determining, by the processing system, a respective relativepriority for each respective user profile of the plurality of userprofiles; provisioning, by the processing system, a first user profilehaving a highest respective relative priority on the media processor;and transmitting, by the processing system, media content forpresentation on a display according to the first user profile, wherein,based on a first determination that the media processor is configuredsuch that the first user profile has the highest respective relativepriority on the media processor, the provisioning the first user profilecomprises provisioning the first user profile regardless of whetheranother user profile of the plurality of user profiles is a master userprofile that has a highest user priority over all user profiles of theplurality of user profiles, and wherein, based on a second determinationthat a second user profile of the plurality of user profiles is themaster user profile, the transmitting the media content is in accordancewith control settings defined in the second user profile for the firstuser profile.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: obtaining,by the processing system, the master user profile having the highestuser priority over all user profiles of the plurality of user profiles;and associating, by the processing system, second control settings ofselected respective user profiles of the plurality of user profilesaccording to the master user profile.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the associating the second control settings of the selectedrespective user profiles of the plurality of user profiles comprisesassociating respective parental controls with respective child userprofiles associated with respective children.
 18. The method of claim15, wherein the master user profile is associated with a head of ahousehold, and wherein each respective member of the household has arespective user profile of the plurality of user profiles.
 19. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising associating, by the processingsystem, the control settings with the first user profile.
 20. The methodof claim 15, wherein the media processor is included in a set top box.